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[Federal Register: March 30, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 60)]
[Notices]               
[Page 15673-15674]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr30mr10-37]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2010-0014]

 
Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information 
Collection; Export Health Certificate for Animal Products

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Extension of approval of an information collection; comment 
request.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's 
intention to request an extension of approval of an information 
collection associated with the export of animal products from the 
United States.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before June 
1, 2010.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to (http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocketDetail&d=APHIS-[[Page 15674]]2010-0014) to submit or view comments and to view supporting and 
related materials available electronically.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send two copies of 
your comment to Docket No. APHIS-2010-0014, Regulatory Analysis and 
Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, 
Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please state that your comment refers to 
Docket No. APHIS-2010-0014.
    Reading Room: You may read any comments that we receive on this 
docket in our reading room. The reading room is located in room 1141 of 
the USDA South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue SW., 
Washington, DC. Normal reading room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except holidays. To be sure someone is there to 
help you, please call (202) 690-2817 before coming.
    Other Information: Additional information about APHIS and its 
programs is available on the Internet at (http://www.aphis.usda.gov).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on the export of 
animal products from the United States, contact Dr. Joyce Bowling-
Heyward, Assistant Director, Technical Trade Services Team--Products, 
National Center for Import and Export, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 
40, Riverdale, MD 20737; (301) 734-3278. For copies of more detailed 
information on the information collection, contact Mrs. Celeste 
Sickles, APHIS' Information Collection Coordinator, at (301) 851-2908.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Export Health Certificate for Animal Products.
    OMB Number: 0579-0256.
    Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information 
collection.
    Abstract: The export of agricultural commodities, including animals 
and animal products, is a major business in the United States and 
contributes to a favorable balance of trade. To facilitate the export 
of U.S. animals and products, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection 
Service (APHIS), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), maintains 
information regarding the import health requirements of other countries 
for animals and animal products exported from the United States.
    Many countries that import animal products from the United States 
require a certification from APHIS that the United States is free of 
certain diseases. These countries may also require that our 
certification statement contain additional declarations regarding the 
U.S. animal products being exported. This certification must carry the 
USDA seal and be endorsed by an APHIS representative (e.g., a 
Veterinary Medical Officer). The certification process involves the use 
of information collection activities, including Veterinary Services 
(VS) Forms 16-4 (Export Health Certificate for Animal Products) and 16-
4A (Continuation Sheet) and, if a certificate is denied or withdrawn by 
VS, an exporter can request a hearing to appeal VS' decision.
    Regulations pertaining to export certification of animals and 
animal products are contained in 9 CFR parts 91 and 156.
    We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve 
our use of these information collection activities for an additional 3 
years.
    The purpose of this notice is to solicit comments from the public 
(as well as affected agencies) concerning our information collection. 
These comments will help us:
    (1) Evaluate whether the collection of information is necessary for 
the proper performance of the functions of the Agency, including 
whether the information will have practical utility;
    (2) Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the burden of the 
collection of information, including the validity of the methodology 
and assumptions used;
    (3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected; and
    (4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those 
who are to respond, through use, as appropriate, of automated, 
electronic, mechanical, and other collection technologies; e.g., 
permitting electronic submission of responses.
    Estimate of burden: The public reporting burden for this collection 
of information is estimated to average 0.4958 hours per response.
    Respondents: Exporters of U.S. animal products.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 33,000.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 4.05.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 133,652.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 66,266 hours. (Due to 
averaging, the total annual burden hours may not equal the product of 
the annual number of responses multiplied by the reporting burden per 
response.)
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of 
public record.
    Done in Washington, DC, this 24\th\ day of March 2010.

Gregory L. Parham
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-7044 Filed 3-29-10: 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-S
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